To Establish Bona Fide Domicile

Financially independent students must:

1. Live in the state for at least twelve (12) consecutive months as legal residents. A legal resident is one who has relinquished all valid legal ties with their former state of residence and has established such ties in Washington in accordance with state and local legislation.

2. Establish Washington State legal ties:

o Driver’s License/State ID: One must obtain a Washington State Driver’s Licensewithin 30 days of arrival if they have a valid out-of-state driver’s license, including international driver’s license. If an individual does not drive or possess a driver’s license from any state or country, they must obtain a Washington State Identification Card within 30 days of arrival.

o Vehicle Registration: Individuals who own or operates a vehicle in Washington must have their vehicle registered in Washingtonwithin 30 days of arrival.

o Voter Registration: Individuals who have previously registered to vote in their former state of residence must register to vote in Washington.Students who are legally ineligible to vote are exempt from this requirement.

o Establish a bank account in Washington. A bank account(s) established prior to arriving in Washington is sufficient as long as one’s name and Washington address is associated with the account and documented.

o Rental agreement/lease/mortgage statement/home ownership

3. Be financially independent for the current and prior calendar years. Students who are 25 years of age or younger must provide their parents’ most recent tax returns.

4. Students must prove conclusively that they have not come to Washington State primarily for educational purposes. Students who are enrolled for 7 credits or more per quarter are required to be employed at a non-student position, working at least 30 hours per week.

Students must complete and sign the residence questionnaire application (all pages). This process requires all documentation of student’s establishment of domicile and financial independence.